Thanks Joe,

I'm always interested in the background of of a song. I knew there were many Irish who fought in the Civil War. The ones who fought for the South were no doubt landowners who wanted to keep their land. Most had probaby come from poverty in Ireland, where land ownership was denied to Catholics. I can certainly understand why they sided with the South. I have a book of folksongs that were compiled by the Univ of Mo...hadn't thought to look in there for Brother Green. Hmmm. The tune I heard on the BOARDER OF HEAVEN by Connie Dover was not Barbry Ellen...it was no doubt arranged by Connie herself, and has a much more poignant sound.